Barton ready to take on the Blues

08 February 2017 08:13

Joey Barton is up and ready to take on the Blues of Chelsea at Turf Moor on Sunday in the live televished clash with Antonio Conte's runaway Premier League league leaders.

Burnley fans' cult hero Barton has recently refused to be drawn into discussing his miserable time and relative failure at Ibrox but instead, let's his performances for the Clarets do the talking to help banish the Blues he suffered whilst with Glasgow Rangers.

Recent comments published in the Daily Star, reveal Barton reflecting on his short time with Mark Warburton at Ibrox, “It’s not something I’m going to do today, in two months, in 10 months or in two years. I’m focused on Burnley. I’ve got N’Golo Kante and Chelsea on Sunday afternoon."

Realising the enormity of the task against Chelsea on Sunday, Barton added, “I’ve got to use every bit of energy I’ve got trying to turn in a performance against arguably the best player in the league. I can’t focus on what’s going on in Scotland, that’s not my bag any more. What’s happened, happened.”

Chelsea's Eden Hazard is currently setting the Premier League on fire with his amazing performances. The individual goal he scored against Wenger's Gunners on Sunday must rank as one of the best Premier League goals of all time. Hazard took on the Arsenal defence from the half way line and following a mazy dribble, coolly slotted the winner into the corner of the Arsenal goal.

Promisingly for Burnley right back Matt Lowton, Hazard suffered a minor calf injury during the Arsenal encounter and Chelsea boss Conte may decide not to risk aggravating the minor injury to his Belgian superstar.

Sean Dyche will be without a whole host of players through injury and suspension but will still be hoping Burnley can bounce back from another away defeat at Watford. The Clarets home form has been nothing short of sensational this season but Chelsea will present the home team with their most stringent test yet at Fortress Turf Moor.

I expect Burnley to line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with new signings Robbie Brady and Ashley Westwood starting their first full games for the Clarets: